Lifeline

by Christy Barritt

  * * *

  What was taking Bradley so long? Was he okay? Exactly how long did she wait before going for help?

  Julianne scanned her surroundings. The sand dunes appeared normal and untouched as a breeze carried away the top layer, sending it into a spray that skimmed the landscape. The wooden beach chairs still cozily faced the ocean, beckoning anyone around to come and sit. Even the curtains from her apartment downstairs still remained just where they’d been.

  From her vantage point, she could only see the start of the stairs leading to the front door. Another staircase was hidden behind her apartment, off of the wraparound deck upstairs.

  There was no movement, not even a stray biker or jogger.

  What was off? Why did something feel so incredibly wrong?

  Her gaze focused on a doorway off the back of her apartment. The utility room, the place where the gas furnace and water heater and some other HVAC stuff were located, she recalled. She hadn’t been in the room. She’d had no reason to.

  She paused.

  That’s what was different.

  The door to that room was cracked, just slightly.

  Why would someone have gone in there?

  An inkling spread through her, cold and hollow. A conversation she’d had once with Darrell fluttered through her mind. She’d caught him doing some research on the internet. He’d smiled vacantly when she asked him about his search results. But now all kinds of realizations and theories began to fester in her mind.

  Dread pooled in her stomach. If her hunch was correct, she needed to check something out. Now.

  She grasped the gun, the metal heavy and cold on her fingers. Her hand trembled. She could do this. She would do this. Her other hand went to the door handle.

  Before she could second-guess herself, she opened the door. Adrenaline and fear surged through her as she took the first step away from the sanctuary of the car. She propelled herself forward, toward the utility room. Each step felt surreal. Her gaze scattered about the area, searching for an intruder just waiting to pounce. She saw no one.

  She shoved the door open and stepped inside the small space. She bypassed the cleaning supplies and brooms and stray beach chairs, and went straight to the gas furnace.

  Her gaze went to the pipes running up from the top of the unit and into the ceiling above. Was that a hissing sound?

  The pipe leading into the ceiling looked bent, as if it had been tampered with. She couldn’t be certain—she only had a hunch to go on—but she trusted her gut.

  She grabbed a wrench from a nearby shelf and found the gas meter shut-off value. The metal twist came off in her hands. There was no turning it off.

  Realization spread over her. She had to get to Bradley. Now.

  TWELVE

  Bradley didn’t like the alarms sounding in his head. What was happening? His hand went to the doorknob. He twisted it, but the metal wouldn’t turn.

  Using all of his strength, he rattled the door. It was stuck. Someone had jimmied the lock.

  Footsteps pounded up the steps, followed by the sound of someone slamming their fists into the door. “Bradley, can you hear me?”

  Julianne. Why had she gotten out of the car? He’d clearly told her to stay inside.

  “Julianne, what are you doing?” His head whirled. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong.

  “You’ve got to get out of there,” she said, her voice rising urgently.

  He rattled the door again. “The door’s jammed. What’s wrong?”

  “Carbon monoxide. Darrell messed with the heater downstairs. If I’m right, the amount of gas pouring into your house right is astronomical. You’ve got to get out.” Panic laced each syllable.

  That would explain his sudden headache and nausea. What about his detectors—why weren’t they going off?

  Someone had tampered with them, he realized.

  They’d closed the hurricane shades and jimmied the door so he couldn’t get out. They’d thought of everything, hadn’t they?

  He desperately needed some fresh air. But the windows were all sealed. Pulling his shirt over his mouth, he staggered toward them. Using the last of his energy, he pushed the windows up. Maybe some air would creep inside through the thick shutters. Maybe...

  Had Julianne said “astronomical”? That wasn’t good. Wasn’t good at all.

  “Can you shoot the locks? Do something?”

  He stared at the door, the very ones he’d ordered because they were bullet-proof and virtually impenetrable. “These are high-grade steel doors. That’s not going to work.”

  “What will?”

  How did he get out of this mess? The carbon monoxide would kill him. He didn’t know how much time he had. He only knew that his head was heavy and his eyelids heavier. He couldn’t let sleep claim him. He might not ever wake up if he did.

  “Bradley? Are you still with me?”

  “I’m here.”

  “Stay with me. You understand?” she pleaded. He leaned against the wall. Take the hinges off, he realized. That’s how he could get out.

  If only he had the energy to get the screwdriver he needed to do just that.

  * * *

  Julianne couldn’t wait for the police to show up. Who knew how long that would take? Each moment that ticked by brought Bradley closer to death. She wasn’t going to let that happen.

  But how could she get past this door? Bradley himself had said it was impenetrable. It was meant to keep people out, not to trap them inside, though.

  An idea hit her. It was crazy. She knew it was. But was crazy enough that it just might work. Could she really do this? Did she have any other choice?

  Determined to give it a shot, she pounded on the door again. “Bradley, I’ll be right back. Stay with me, okay?”

  “I’m here, Julianne.” His voice sounded waning. It didn’t matter how strong a person might be. Carbon monoxide could claim the toughest soldier. “What are you doing?”

  “I’ll tell you in a minute.”

  She scrambled down the steps. Her gaze skittered around her. Was Darrell here? Was he watching from the distance, enjoying seeing the pandemonium around him?

  She shoved the thought aside. With trembling hands, she took the car key from her pocket and popped open the trunk. She stared at the supplies waiting there. Supplies they’d picked up yesterday but had yet to drop off.

  Could she do it? She drew in a shaky breath.

  She was going to do it.

  She grabbed the explosive-breaching supplies that Bradley had left there for the upcoming training. He’d shown her briefly how to use them. Now she had no other choice but to use them to open the door and save Bradley.

  She ran back upstairs, her pulse pounding in her ears, her hands shaking uncontrollably. Who did she think she was that she could pull this off? She shoved the thoughts away. She could—and would—do this. Bradley’s life depended on it.

  Her fist hammered at the door again. “Bradley, how are you doing?”

  “I’m here, Julianne. You should go. Get in the car and get out of here.”

  “Not without you.”

  “Julianne...”

  “Listen, Bradley. I have some of your explosive-breaching packs. I need you tell me how to use them.”

  He paused. “It’s dangerous, Julianne.”

  “I can do it. You said these are safer than the normal method.”

  “I don’t want you to get hurt. The police should be here soon.”

  “It might be too late by then,” she said, trying to keep the panic at bay. “Tell me what to do.”

  Another moment of hesitation seemed to pass. “Okay, here’s how to start...”

  He walked her through the process. She attached the sack, just as he instructed a
nd double-checked to make sure everything was in place. Then she stepped back and looked at her handiwork. A sliver of fear zinged down her spine.

  “I have to step away from the door, Julianne. The carbon monoxide will ignite.”

  She nodded, knowing that he couldn’t see her. Maybe the action was for her own sake. “I can do this, Bradley. Go ahead and get away from the door. I’ll be fine.”

  “Julianne...”

  Her throat burned as she swallowed. “Just go, Bradley.”

  “I’m going. Be safe.”

  “Okay, here goes, Bradley.” She squeezed her eyes shut. What if this didn’t work? It had to. She couldn’t think like that. She had to pull back the tears that threatened to escape. “Everything’s going to be fine. Hold on.”

  Lord, watch over us.

  She ignited the match, put it in the door and then ran toward the steps.

  The door exploded, just as the police turned into the driveway, sirens blaring. Had Bradley really moved away from the door? Or had he passed out before he could? Would they find his lifeless body?

  * * *

  Julianne waited outside Bradley’s hospital room as the doctors examined him. She’d been quickly accessed by a medic and given the okay. But Bradley had suffered carbon-monoxide poisoning, as well as a concussion from the blast.

  Two familiar figures walked down the hallway toward her. Jack and Denton. She stood, but Jack lowered her back into the chair before sitting beside her.

  “We heard what happened. How are you?”

  She wrung her hands together, still shaken up. “I’m okay. It was close, though. Really close.”

  “We’re glad you’re okay.” Denton stood in front of them, his hands on his hips. “What’s the latest on Bradley?”

  “I haven’t been able to see him, but I heard he’s stable.” She drew in a deep breath of relief. “How about the other Eyes agent? The one stationed outside the house. Is he okay?”

  Jack nodded. “He’s fine. Just a concussion. All things considered, it could have been much worse.” He turned toward Julianne. “I have to ask—how did you know? How did you know it was carbon monoxide?”

  “I remembered a conversation I’d had with Darrell once. He was talking about how carbon monoxide would be the perfect way to kill someone. He even mentioned how you could rig a heater to increase the amount of gas being released and then seal up the person’s house. Everything just clicked in my mind.”

  Jack nodded again. “Smart thinking. You probably saved Bradley’s life.”

  A nurse paused in front of them. “I’m afraid visiting hours are up. They’ve actually been over.” She tapped her watch. “You’re all going to have to come back in the morning.”

  Panic spread over her—both from leaving Bradley and wondering where to go. If she couldn’t stay at Bradley’s, then where?

  Jack turned toward her. “How about if you stay at Eyes Headquarters tonight? We have some guest quarters there where I think you’ll be comfortable. You should be safe.”

  She wiped a stray tear of gratitude from under her eyes. “I hate to leave Bradley after everything that’s happened....”

  “He’ll be okay. We’re going to station someone outside of his room tonight.” Jack stood. “We’ll bring you back first thing in the morning. How does that sound?”

  She sniffled. “That sounds great. I really appreciate it.”

  “Any friend of Bradley’s is a friend of ours.” Denton winked.

  Friend of Bradley’s? The description was strangely foreign yet oddly comforting at the same time. Even stranger was the fact that they felt like more than friends, a progression that seemed impossible only a few days ago.

  Denton nodded toward the exit. “How about if I take you there now? You should get some rest, especially after everything you’ve been through today. I heard you’re going to be teaching some explosive breaching training for us soon.” He grinned.

  His lightheartedness helped to dissipate some of the tension she felt. “Don’t hold your breath,” she said dryly. “That won’t be happening any time soon.”

  * * *

  Bradley had never seen a sweeter face than when Julianne stepped into his hospital room the next morning. She smiled softly as she made her way to his hospital bed. The woman looked as beautiful as ever, even with the dark circles under her eyes. Her wavy golden-brown hair had been pulled back into a ponytail and the sleeves of her sweatshirt were drawn over her hands.

  “Hey there.” He tried to think of something else to say to the woman who’d saved his life. That was all that had come out, though. He’d blame it on the pain medication.

  She stood at his side, her countenance full of compassion and worry. That scent of daisies on a rainy day floated over to him, bringing with it the soothing feeling of contentment.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Been better, but I’m doing much better than I was about fourteen hours ago.”

  She smiled again. “I’m glad. You gave me a good scare.”

  He’d underestimated whoever was behind this mayhem. The reminder caused him to pull his lips into a tight line, and the initial contentment he’d felt at seeing Julianne disappeared. “I’m supposed to be keeping an eye on you, but you saved my life last night, you know.”

  “It’s all in a day’s work.” She grinned and patted his hand.

  Electricity charged through him at her touch. He wished more than anything that he could pull her into his arms and give her a proper thank-you. That would have to wait until another time, though.

  She nodded toward him. “You’re all dressed and ready to go.”

  He’d changed first thing, thanks to the clothes that Denton had dropped by early this morning. “It was ridiculous to be kept here overnight. I’m fine.”

  “He’s been telling me that for about twelve hours now.” A nurse bustled into the room, scowling at Bradley. “The doctor signed your papers. You’re free to leave. Just don’t trample me on your way out the door.”

  “I would never.” His lip curled in a grin.

  The nurse, a tall and painfully thin brunette in her fifties, paused with her hands on her hips. “Don’t tell me that. You’ve been beside yourself, champing at the bit ready to leave.”

  He held up his hands. “Okay. You’re right. I admit it.”

  The nurse looked at Julianne, her lips pursed in annoyance. “Take care of him. And bless your heart for putting up with the man.” She waved a finger at Bradley. “He’s an ornery one.”

  Bradley didn’t bother to explain to the nurse that there were lives on the line. He’d simply let her think he was difficult. Sitting back and relaxing in the hospital did nothing to keep anyone safe.

  Julianne grinned. “I’ll manage. Thank you.” She took his arm. “Would you like me to push you out of the hospital in a wheelchair?” Her eyes twinkled.

  “That’s not a bad idea,” the nurse piped in.

  “I think I’ll manage.” He stood and nodded toward the door. “Come on. Lets get out of this place.” Two more seconds in that hospital room, and he might lose his mind.

  Finally, they walked down the hallway, comfortable silence falling between them. He cleared his throat. “The detective informed me this morning that the levels of carbon monoxide in the house were at sixteen hundred. Much longer and I could have died.”

  “Darrell must have kept the house locked up—airtight—and let the gas fill the space, knowing you’d return.” She pressed the down button on the elevator.

  “Then he rigged the door handle and messed with the battery back-up for the hurricane shades. He’s a clever man. I’ll give him that.” Much more clever than Bradley had anticipated. The fact that Julianne had to explosively breach the door made it even more ironic. Darrell had a sick, twisted sense of hu
mor, that was for sure.

  “Dangerously clever.” Her words sounded somber as the elevator dinged and they stepped inside. “So now what?”

  “We can’t go back to my place, obviously. Jack gave us permission to stay at Eyes until we get things figured out.” Speaking of Jack, Bradley spotted him at the hospital entrance after they exited the elevator. “He brought me here this morning,” Julianne explained.

  Jack nodded at them as they approached. “One of our guys drove your car here for you.” He shoved some keys into Bradley’s hand. “You’re okay to drive, right?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Jack clamped his hand on his arm. “Be careful, then. I don’t like the way this is going.”

  “You and me both.”

  They drove back to the Eyes headquarters, and Bradley went straight to his desk. Julianne stood behind him. “What are you doing?”

  “I have security cameras outside my home. All the video feed is sent to a website. I’m going to access the feed from yesterday and find out exactly what went down.”

  A moment later, the website came up. He typed in the time and date, and a video of the outside of his house came up. Julianne pulled up a chair and sat behind him, her eyes fastened on the screen.

  He fast-forwarded through videos of seagulls landing on his deck, the wind swaying tree branches, a homeless fellow with a metal detector on the beach. Finally, he slowed when he saw a man walking up the steps to his home. The man wore a baseball cap low over his eyes and a large sweatshirt. Still, something about him seemed familiar....

  Julianne gasped. “Is that...?”

  Bradley leaned closer. “It could be, but we can’t know for sure.”

  Her hand covered her mouth and she shook her head in disbelief. “I mean, I thought he was alive. But seeing that video...I just can’t believe it. He’s the same height. He has the same walk.”

  Bradley watched as the man unlocked the front door. Where had he gotten the keys? It didn’t matter. The man was resourceful.

  Now that he was closer to the camera, Bradley got a better look at him. The man definitely resembled Darrell. He was a little heavier. There were more lines on his face. That could happen while living on the run. It hardened a person; it aged them.